Parallel-groove electrical connector



June 8, 1965 .1. A. TOEDTMAN ETAL 3,133,602

PARALLEIr-GROOVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 19, 1962 ELME-R H. HGRNUNG BY coaflk M0 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,188,tl2 PARALLEL-GRGOVE ELEQTPKIAL CGNNEQTGR .l'ohn A. Toedtrnan, Warson Woods, and Eisner H. Hornung, St. Louis, Mo, assignors to Jasper Blackburn Corporation, St. Louis, Me a corporation of Missouri Filed Nov. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 238,417 3 Claims. (Cl. 339-109) This invention relate generally to improvements in an electrical connector and to an assembly for installing such connector to a hot line, and more particularly to an improved parallel-groove connector and to a combination of such connector with a tool which enables a tap wire to be held temporarily while the connectors operatively attach to both the tap wire and a through main wire.

It is an important objective to provide a parallel groove connector constructed so that the tap wire can be temporarily secured to one body section by a suitable tool while the body sections are opened to receive a through main wire and subsequently closed to hold both the tap and main wires therebetween.

An important object is achieved by the provision of an electrical connector including a pair of body sections having a tap wire groove and a main wire groove therebetween, one of the body sections being provided with a clamping surface opposite the tap wire groove, and fastening means interconnecting the body sections and selectively closing the body sections onto the tap wire and main wire while the tap wire is held temporarily in place on the one body section by clamping forces applied to the clamping surface and tap Wire.

Another important object i realized in that the clamping surface on the one body section consists of a depression extending inwardly from the side and defined by space side walls and an inward end wall, such depression positioning a suitable clamping tool in order to exert a relatively constant force substantially diametrically through the tap wire located and held by the tool in the tap wire groove of the one body section.

Still another important object is afforded by the provision of a recess through the tap wire groove of the other body section which is aligned with the tool-receiving depression, the recess serving to position and pass freely one jaw of the tool applying the clamping force to the tap wire located between the body sections and retained temporarily by the tool to the one body section.

An important object is achieved by providing the depression on the outer surface of the upper body section above the tap wire groove, and by depending the lower body section loosely from the superimposed upper body section by adjustable fastening means to enable insertion of the main wire into the main wire groove, the fastening means selectively closing the body section onto the tap wire and main wire, all while the tap wire is held in the tap wire groove of the upper body section by clamping forces applied to the depression and the tap Wire.

Another important object is realized by the symmetrical structural arrangement of the defined clamping surface on the one body section relative to a pair of bolts constituting the fastening means such that the pressure applied by the tool and holding the tap wire temporarily to the one body section during permanent installation is evenly distributed for more effective connection.

Yet another important object is provided by the combination of an electrical connector of the type previously mentioned with a clamping tool that engages the tap wire and one body section to retain the tap wire temporarily, the other body section being structurally related to the tool so that the body section can be clamped together by another independent fastening means such as bolts to hold the tap and main wires located between the sections.

An important objective is to provide a parallel-groove connector adapted for hot line application which is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture, efiicient in operation, and which can be easily installed by anyone with only a minimum of instruction.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the upper body section of the connector;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view as seen along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the lower body section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view as seen along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the electrical connector, showing the tap wire held in place by a clamping tool and showing the main wire being inserted into the main wire groove, and

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the connector and tool, illustrating the connector being fixed securely to the main wire and tap wire.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, it is seen that the electrical connector is of the parallel-groove type adapted to connect operatively a tap wire 19 with a through main or hot wire 11.

From FIG. 1, it is seen that the upper body section generally referred to at 12 is provided with a body flange 13 at one side, the body flange 13 having a longitudinal substantially arcuate seat 14 formed on it underside. At the opposite side of body section 12, there is provided a body flange 15 having formed in its underside a longitudinal substantially arcuate seat 16. For reasons which will appear later, it will be noted that the arcuate seat 16 is larger than its laterally spaced yet cooperating seat 14.

Located intermediately of the side body flanges 13 and 15 is an integral boss portion 17 having a pair of longitudinally spaced threaded vertical bores 20 therethrough. The bores 26 are located between the longitudinally arranged, parallel seats 14 and 16.

To facilitate positioning of the upper body section 12 upon assembly, the body section 12 is provided with downwardly depending end shoulders 21. These shoulders 21 extend between the side flanges 13 and 15, and more particularly extend between the arcuate seats 14 and 16.

The electrical connector includes a cooperating lower body section referred to generally at 22, the lower body section 22 being best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower body section 22 is provided with a side body flange 23 having an upwardly facing longitudinal arcuate seat 24. It will be importantly noted that the body seats 14 and 24 formed respectively in the cooperating body sections 12 and 22 are aligned vertically to provide a tap wire groove therebetween as is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 when the body sections 12 and 22 are assembled, the tap wire groove being particularly adapted to receive the tap wire 10.

The opposite side of body section 22 includes a body flange 26 having an upwardly facing, longitudinal arcuate seat 27. The substantially arcuate seat 27 is larger than its laterally spaced, yet associated arcuate seat 24. Importantly, it will be noted that the arcuate seats 16 and 27 formed respectively in the cooperating body sections 12 and 22 are aligned vertically upon assembly of the body sections 12 and 22 so as to form a main wire groove as is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 adapted to receive the main wire 11.

The body portion 28 intermediate of the side body flanges 23 and 26 of the lower body section 22 is provided with a recess 30 at each end. When the body sec- Patented June 8, 1955 i tions 12 and 22 are assembled, the end shoulders 21 of the upper body section 12 interfit the recesses 30 and engage the lower body section 22 to preclude relative longitudinal movement of such body sections.

Formed in the lower body section 22 in longitudinally spaced relation between the arcuate seats 24 and 27 are a pair of slots 31 that are aligned vertically with the threaded bOres 20 when the body sections 12 and 22 are assembled.

It will be noted that the intermediate boss portion 17 of the upper body section 12 is provided with a substantially square formation 32 surrounding each of the threaded bores 20, the substantially square formations 32 engaging the intermediate portion 28 of the lower body section 22 between the arcuate seats 24 and 27. Because the side flanges 23 and 26 of the lower body section 22 are curved slightly upward along their upper surface in extending outwardly from intermediate portion 28, the substantially square formations 32 engage these raised upper surfaces to preclude relative transverse movement of the body sections.

The side body flange 13 of body section 12 is provided with a depression 33 in its upper surface which is defined by spaced side walls 34 and an inward end wall 35. The depression 33 extends inwardly from the side of side flange 13 substantially midway between the threaded bores 20. The depression 33 constitutes a seat on which a clamping force can be applied in holding the tap wire 10 securely in the arcuate seat 14, the depression 33 being located directly above seat 14 and the tap wire 10 located therein.

The side flange 23 of lower body section 22 is provided with a recess 36 extending inwardly through the arcuate seat 24. For reasons which will later appear, the recess 36 is relatively narrow and is located between the slots 31 and aligned directly below the depression 34' of the upper body section 12 when the body sections 12 and 22 are assembled.

A pair of bolts 37 constituting a fastening means extend upwardly freely through the slots 31 in the lower body section 22 and threadedly engage the upper body section 12 in the bores 20. Washers 38 are disposed between the heads of the bolts 37 and the underside of the lower body section 22.

As will appear, upon tightening the bolts 37, the bolts 37 will urge the lower body section 22 upwardly toward the upper body section 12 very easily. It will be noted that the underside of lower body section 22 is provided with a curvilinear camming surface 39 adapted to engage the bolts 37 through the washers 36. Upon tightening the bolts 37, the camrning surface 39 tends to swing or laterally adjust the position of the lower body section 22 to accommodate the particular sizes of the tap wire 10 and main wire 11 and to distribute the clamping forces on such wires so as to hold the wires securely between the body sections. To permit this slight lateral adjustment of the lower body section 22, the bolts 37 move relatively along the slightly elongated slots 31.

Utilized with this parallel-groove connector is a clamping tool generally indicated at 40 in FIGS. and 6. This tool 40 can be, and is in the embodiment shown, of conventional construction. This tool 40 is of a type manufactured and sold by the Peterson Mfg. Company of De Witt, Neb., and is disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,280,005 and 2,514,130.

Briefly, the tool 40 includes a pair of clamping jaws 41 and 42 having serrations or teeth 43. These jaws 41 and 42 are opened and closed upon the tap wire and the depression 33 as is best seen in FIG. 5, to exert a constant clamping force across the diameter of the tap wire 10 held in the arcuate seat 14, thereby securely,.yet

temporarily, holding the tap wire 10 tothe upper body section 12. The depression 33 positions the tool 40, the

side walls 34 and end wall 35 acting as stops for the tool jaw 41.

The lower jaw 42 moves freely through the recess 36 formed in the lower body section 22 to enable the body sections to move freely toward or away from each other without any interference with the tool 40.

With this particular type of tool 40, the lever arm 44 is squeezed closed to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 so that the jaws 41 and 42 engage the depression 33 and tap wire 10. The adjusting screw 45 is manipulated to adjust the jaws of the tool for the thickness of the object to be gripped so that a constant clamping force is exerted to hold the tap wire 10 securely in place. The general operation of tool 40 is well known, but the particular application and usage of this tool 40 is unique with the parallel-groove connector disclosed in order to obtain the important functional advantages.

To facilitate the assembly of the electrical connector, the tool 41 is attached to a bifurcated yoke 46 which is in turn swivally connected by a ball and socket structure 47 to a hot line stick 50.

Another hot line stick 51 is utilized to clamp the body sections 12 and 22 together. This hot line stick 51 is provided with a socket 52 adapted to fit and receive the heads of bolts 37. Upon twisting the stick 51, the bolts 37 can be selectively loosened or tightened.

It is thought that the installation of the electrical connector and the functional results and advantages have become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure, such installation will be briefly set forth.

First, the electrical connector is assembled by placing the body sections 12 and 22 in superimposed relation, one above the other, as is shown in FIG. 5, with the end shoulders 21 interfitting the recesses 30 of the lower body section 22, with the seats 14 and 24 aligned to form the tap wire groove and with the arcuate seats 16 and 27 aligned to form the main wire groove. Then the bolts 37 are inserted upwardly through the slots 31 into threaded bores 20 to hold the body sections together. The bolts 37 are adjusted so that the lower body section 22 is suspended loosely from the upper body section 12 to permit the insertion of the tap wire 10 and main wire 11.

For hot line installation, the tap wire 10 is inserted between the body sections 12 and 22 and into the arcuate seat 14 of upper body section 12. The tool 40 is applied to the electrical connector by clamping the jaws 41 and 42 respectively on the upper body section 12 in the depression 33 and on the tap wire 10 so as to fix the tap wire 10 securely in position on the upper body section 12. The lower tool jaw 42 moves freely in the recess 36 to reach the tap wire 10. As will be explained, .the tool 40 provides a temporary securement for the tap wire 10 during the permanent installation.

The electrical connector is then raised into position for operative connection to the hot main wire 11 by the hot stick 50. The stick 50 is used to manipulate the connector so that the main wire 11 is inserted between the body sections 12 and 22 and into the main wire groove as is suggested in FIG. 5. After the main wire 11 is located in the main wire groove, the other stick 51 is utilized to clamp the body sections 12 and 22 together on both the tap wire 16 and main wire 11. Specifically, the socket 52 is fitted over the head of each bolt 37 and is turned to tighten the bolts 37.

As the bolts 37 are threadedly tightened, the bolts 37 urge the body sections 12 and 22 together to clamp the tap wire 16 and main wire 11 therebetween, all while the tap wire 10 is temporarily held in place against the upper body section 12 by the tool 40. As the body sections 12 and 22 move relatively toward each other, the tool jaw 42 freely passes through the recess 36 formed laterally in the lower body section 22. As explained previously, the lower body section 22 adjusts itself automatically to accommodate the sizes of the wires involved.

After the tap wire 10 and main wire 11 have been clamped securely between the body sections 12 and 22 upon threaded tightening of bolts 37, the socket 52 is disconnected from the bolt heads and the stick 51 is respread the clamping jaws 41 and 42, and hence release a such jaws from the tap Wire and upper body section 12. As the jaws spread, the lower jaw 42 moves freely in the lateral recess 36 in the lower body section 22, and the tool 40 can be simply withdrawn. The tool 40 can then be utilized to connect additional electrical connectors in the manner previously described.

For precautionary reasons, the socket 52 of stick 51 is reapplied to the bolts 37 and the bolts 37 are tightened further, if possible, after removal of the tool 40.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereinto appended.

We claim as our invention:

1. An electrical connector comprising:

(a) a pair of body sections, said body sections having a tap wire groove and a main wire groove therebetween,

(b) one of said body sections being provided with an outer clamping surface aligned directly opposite to and extending across the tap wire groove, and

(c) fastening means innerconnecting the body sections and selectively closing the body sections onto the tap wire and main wire located respectively in the tap wire groove and main wire groove, while the tap wire is temporarily held in the tap wire groove of said one body section by clamping forces applied directly to said clamping surface and to the tap wire,

(d) the other said body section being provided with a recess extending through and across the tap wire groove, the recess being adapted to position and pass freely part of a clamping tool for access to the tap wire in applying the clamping forces directly to the outer clamping surface and to the tap wire across the diameter of the tap wire.

2. An electrical connector comprising:

(a) a pair of body sections in superimposed relation,

said body sections having a tap wire groove and a main wire groove therebetween,

(b) the upper body section being provided with an outer clamping surface aligned directly above and extending across the tap wire groove, and

(0) adjustable fastening means interconnecting the body sections and suspending the lower body section loosely from the upper body section for insertion of the main wire into the said main wire groove, the

fasteningmeans selectively closing the body sections onto the tap .wire nad main wire while the tap wire is temporarily heldin the tap wire groove of the upper body section by clamping forces applied directly to said clamping surface and to the tap wire,

(d) the other said body section being provided with a recess extending through and across to at least the center of the tap wire grove of said other section the recess being aligned with the said clamping surface and adapted to position and pass freely a part of a clamping tool for access to the tap wire in applying the clamping forces directly to the clamping surface and tap wire across the diameter of the tap wire.

3. A parallel groove electrical connector comprising;

(a) a pair of body sections in superimposed relation, said body sections having a laterally spaced, parallel tap wire groove and main wire groove therebetween,

(b) at least one bolt interconnecting the body sections between said grooves, the bolt suspending the lower body section loosely from the upperbody section for insertion of the main wire into said main wire groove,

(0) the upper body section being provided with a depression on its outer surface aligned directly above the tap wire groove, said depression extending inwardly from the side of the upper body section and extending across the tap wire groove, the depression being defined by spaced side walls and an inward end wall adapted to position a clamping tool,

(d) the bolt selectively closing the body sections onto the tap Wire and main wire while the tap wire is temporarily held in the tap wire groove of the upper body section by clamping forces applied directly to said depression and to the tap wire,

(e) the lower body section being provided with a recess extending through and across to at least the center of the tap wire groove of the lower section to expose at least one-half of the tap wire in the tap wire groove, and aligned directly with the said depression, the recess being adapted to position and pass freely a part of the clamping tool for access to the tap wire in applying the clamping forces directly to the depression and tap wire across the diameter of the tap wire.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,964,511 6/34 Grover 339-248 X 2,200,380 5/40 Bodendieck 339-246 2,514,130 7/50 Jones 8l-370 2,651,766 9/53 Runde 339-253 2,712,167 7/55 Blanchard 24-8l X 2,963,679 12/60 Jugle 339-246 2,986,053 5/61 Atman et al. 81-53 JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF BODY SECTIONS, SAID BODY SECTIONS HAVING A TAP WIRE GROOVE AND A MAIN WIRE GROOVE THEREBETWEEN, (B) ONE OF SAID BODY SECTIONS BEING PROVIDED WITH AN OUTER CLAMPING SURFACE ALIGNED DIRECTLY OPPOSITE TO AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE TAP WIRE GROOVE, AND (C) FASTENING MEANS INNERCONNECTING THE BODY SECTIONS AND SELECTIVELY CLOSING THE BODY SECTIONS ONTO THE TAP WIRE AND MAIN WIRE LOCATED RESPECTIVELY IN THE TAP WIRE GROOVE AND MAIN WIRE GROOVE, WHILE THE TAP WIRE IS TEMPORARILY HELD IN THE TAP WIRE GROOVE OF SAID ONE BODY SECTION BY CLAMPING FORCES APPLIED DIRECTLY TO SAID CLAMPING SURFACE AND TO THE TAP WIRE, (D) THE OTHER SAID BODY SECTION BEING PROVIDED WITH A RECESS EXTENDING THROUGH AND ACROSS THE TAP WIRE GROOVE, THE RECESS BEING ADAPTED TO POSITION AND PASS FREELY PART OF A CLAMPING TOOL FOR ACCESS TO THE TAP WIRE IN APPLYING THE CLAMPING FORCES DIRECTLY TO THE OUTER CLAMPING SURFACE AND TO THE TAP WIRE ACROSS THE DIAMETER OF THE TAP WIRE. 